Sedona Critters

I love Nature. I've really enjoyed all of the different insects, reptiles and animals that call the desert their home. I love observing them. I’ve been very fortunate, this year especially, to have had some pretty cool encounters. I'd like to share a few of these encounters with you. I'd like to note that with all of them, my camera zoom was not working - so I had to get close to take the photos and videos. 

Lizards, lizards everywhere! This one really impressed me as he situated himself on this rock and allowed me to get really close to take his picture. He got off the rock and then came back and posed again. So cool. 

I'm quite amazed at the quantity of snakes I've seen this year. The one below was on the trail not far from the parking lot. It was halfway off the trail and I almost didn't notice it. At first, I thought maybe it was dead as I'd seen a lot of "roadkill" on the trails from the mountain bikers. Then, it started moving again. The Gophersnake is the longest snake in AZ. They can grow up to 92 inches. 

I saw this Striped Whipsnake after one of the first rains this summer. It was hanging out on the rocks above a small creek and didn't seem to care that I was there. Yet, when two more hikers showed up, it threw itself off of the rocks and into the water and then made its way up under the rock ledge. 

This next one was near a spot I tend to frequent. It did not seem at all bothered by my presence. I was fascinated. I'd never seen a snake dig a hole before.

Last but not least, I was hiking out from a spot and had the setting sun right in my eyes. As I rounded a corner and hit some shade, I saw this guy coming down the trail towards me. My mind was a bit confused at first as I wasn't quite sure what I was seeing. It's kind of a surreal experience. The picture and video do not do justice as to how big the tarantula actually is.

I'm guessing some of you might be squirming by now. Every part of the nature kingdom has its reason and design. Please remember that they also come from Creator and deserve our respect and love. We were not put on this planet to dominate other species, we are here to live in harmony with each other, as best we can.
- Adrienne :)